THE Police Complaints Authority today confirmed that a man shot by armed officers in a M6 stand-off was carrying a replica gun.
The 29-year-old man was shot in the leg by Merseyside Police after allegedly refusing to drop what officers believed to be a gun.
The incident took place on the M6 motorway near Wigan, at 4am on Monday.
He was pursued there by Merseyside Police after they received reports of a man carrying a firearm in St Helens.
A spokesman for the PCA today said: "The 29-year-old man shot by Merseyside Police officers on the M6 yesterday was carrying a replica gun. The weapon will be sent for forensic testing."
He said the man was conscious in hospital and his injuries were not life-threatening.
He was shot by Merseyside Police but armed officers from Lancashire Constabulary and unarmed officers from Greater Manchester Police were also on the scene.
The shooting is being investigated by Cheshire Constabulary under the supervision of the Police Complaints Authority.
The Cheshire Constabulary is also responsible for investigating whether the man committed any criminal offence.
A spokeswoman for Cheshire Constabulary said: "Our investigations are ongoing but there are no charges at present. He is not under arrest."
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